The long, thin |extensor digitorum| longus muscle actually consists of four combined bellies and their ~tendons~. The belly arises from the |tibia| and the front edge of the |fibula| and extends about three-fourths of the way down the lower leg. The four ~tendons~ lie close to each other and appear as one ~tendon~ that continues down to the front of the ankle. When the ~tendons~ reach the back of the foot they separate and extend to the middle and |distal phalanges| (bones) of the toes two through five. They extend the toes (separate the toes) and bend the foot toward the leg. The ~tendons~ may clearly be seen on the top of the foot when the toes are extended.
